Any type of problem in the genital area can be very upsetting and concerning. Before jumping to any conclusions it is important to understand all the different infections and conditions that can effect that region. Urinary tract infections and chlamydia are two very common, and not extremely serious, infections that can develop in the genital region. Here is an overview of the facts you should know and how different each of these infections are.
Urinary Tract Infection Facts
1. Basics
A urinary tract infection, commonly referred to as a UTI, is an infection in any part of the urinary system. Your urinary system includes your kidneys, bladder, urethra, and ureters. The most common parts that develop infections are the urethra and the bladder. Women are at the greatest risk for getting a urinary tract infection.
2. Symptoms
A urinary tract infection may not show any symptoms until the infection worsens. Common signs include a persistent urge to urinate, cloudy urine, pelvic pain, burning while urinating, blood in the urine, and only passing very small amounts of urine at a time. If fever or back pain is present than the infection may have spread to the kidney’s, which can be very dangerous.
3. Causes
Bacteria is to blame for a urinary tract infection. Escherichia coli, or E. coli, is the bacteria that most commonly causes a UTI. This bacteria is found in the gastrointestinal tract and can be spread the the urinary system through the vagina. This can happen due to sexual intercourse or improper wiping. Women are more prone to these because of how short the urethra is.
4. Treatment
The treatment for urinary tract infections typically just require a round of antibiotics. Over the counter pain medications may help to relive the discomfort that a UTI cause. Cranberry juice has been shown to be effective in helping to treat and prevent urinary tract infections from preventing. Practicing good hygiene is also a very effective way to help lower your chance of getting a UTI.
Chlamydia Overview
1. Basics
Chlamydia is a very common sexually transmitted infection. It spreads very easily because it rarely shows any symptoms. It is highly contagious and people spread it to their sexual partners without even knowledge that they have it.
2. Symptoms
Chlamydia can be very hard to detect because it generally shows no symptoms in men or women. If they do occur however they include painful periods, pain during sexual intercourse, itching around the vagina, abdominal pain, abnormal vaginal discharge, and painful urination.
3. Cause
The cause of Chlamydia is the Chlamydia trachomatis bacteria. It is caught through having unprotected sex with someone who currently has chlamydia. It is spread very easily because is often shows no symptoms.
4. Treatment
Chlamydia is very easily treated and cured. Oral antibiotics are prescribed, commonly Zithromax or doxycycline. You as well as all of your sexual partners should be treated for chlamydia. The infection clears up after just a week. Very severe chlamydia may require intravenous antibiotics and hospitalization.
Differences Between UTI and Chlamydia
1. Cause
The causes of urinary tract infections and chlamydia are very different. They are both caused by bacteria but different bacteria. Urinary tract infections are most commonly caused by E. Coli. Chlamydia is caused by the bacteria chlamydia trachomatis. Another key difference is how these infections are contracted. Urinary tract infections happen with improper wiping or lowered immune systems. Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted infection that is caught through unprotected sex.
2. Who’s At Risk
Women have a much higher risk of developing a urinary tract infection than men, this is due to the short length of the urethra. Chlamydia does not discriminate and affects men and women the same.
3. Contagious
Urinary tract infections are not contagious and can not be spread through sexual contact. Chlamydia is highly contagious and can be spread and caught very easily through unprotected sex.
4. Symptoms
The symptoms of these two medical conditions are very different. Urinary tract infections produce very evident and uncomfortable symptoms. Chlamydia often produces no symptoms, making it very hard to get treatment.